Inklingo

How to Say "risky" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “risky” is “peligroso” — use 'peligroso' when something presents a clear and direct danger or threat, like a wild animal or a hazardous location..

peligroso🔊A2

Use 'peligroso' when something presents a clear and direct danger or threat, like a wild animal or a hazardous location.

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arriesgado🔊B1

Choose 'arriesgado' for activities or decisions that involve taking a chance or a gamble, where the outcome is uncertain but could be rewarding.

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expuesto🔊B1

Use 'expuesto' when a place or person is vulnerable or unprotected from potential harm, like environmental factors or external threats.

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jugado🔊B1

This term is less common for 'risky' in general contexts and might imply something that was undertaken with a degree of chance or daring, often related to games or competitions.

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comprometido🔊C1

Use 'comprometido' when referring to a situation that is critical, precarious, or in a dangerous state, often implying a serious medical or political condition.

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English → Spanish

peligroso

/peh-lee-GRO-so//peliˈɡɾoso/

adjectiveA2General
Use 'peligroso' when something presents a clear and direct danger or threat, like a wild animal or a hazardous location.
A bright, sunny dirt path suddenly ends at the edge of a very deep, dark, open hole, illustrating a hidden hazard or threat.

Examples

Ten cuidado al cruzar la calle, el tráfico es muy peligroso.

Be careful when crossing the street, the traffic is very dangerous.

Cuidado, el perro es peligroso.

Be careful, the dog is dangerous.

Conducir con nieve es muy peligroso.

Driving in the snow is very dangerous.

Es una situación peligrosa para la economía del país.

It's a dangerous situation for the country's economy.

Matching the Noun: `peligroso` vs. `peligrosa`

Like most Spanish describing words, peligroso changes to match the thing it describes. Use peligroso for masculine things (un camino peligroso) and peligrosa for feminine things (una idea peligrosa).

Using `ser` vs. `estar`

Mistake: “La calle está peligrosa.”

Correction: Use `ser` (es peligroso) for something that is *always* dangerous, part of its nature. Use `estar` (está peligroso) for a *temporary* danger. For example: 'El mar *es* peligroso' (The sea is generally dangerous) vs. 'El mar *está* peligroso hoy' (The sea is dangerous today because of a storm).

arriesgado

a-rrees-GAH-doh/a.rjesˈɣa.ðo/

adjectiveB1General
Choose 'arriesgado' for activities or decisions that involve taking a chance or a gamble, where the outcome is uncertain but could be rewarding.
A small figure carefully walking across a single, thin rope bridge suspended high above a deep canyon, symbolizing a risky situation.

Examples

Iniciar un negocio propio es una decisión arriesgada.

Starting your own business is a risky decision.

Hacer esa inversión fue muy arriesgado, pero valió la pena.

Making that investment was very risky, but it was worth it.

El camino por la montaña es arriesgado en invierno debido a la nieve.

The mountain road is hazardous in winter because of the snow.

Ella propuso un plan arriesgado para terminar el proyecto a tiempo.

She proposed a risky plan to finish the project on time.

Agreement is Key

Like all Spanish adjectives, 'arriesgado' must match the thing it describes in both gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): 'una tarea arriesgada' (a risky task), 'planes arriesgados' (risky plans).

expuesto

eks-PWES-toh/eksˈpwesto/

adjectiveB1General
Use 'expuesto' when a place or person is vulnerable or unprotected from potential harm, like environmental factors or external threats.
A small green plant sitting alone on a bare, windy hill under a large gray cloud.

Examples

Esta zona de la costa está expuesta a fuertes tormentas.

This area of the coast is exposed to strong storms.

El pueblo está muy expuesto al viento en invierno.

The town is very exposed to the wind in winter.

Sin seguridad, tus datos personales quedan expuestos.

Without security, your personal data remains exposed.

Me sentí muy expuesto después de contarle mi secreto.

I felt very vulnerable after telling him my secret.

Matching the Noun

Since this acts as a descriptor, remember to change the ending to 'expuesta' for feminine things or 'expuestos/as' for plurals.

Choosing the right 'To Be'

Mistake: “Soy expuesto al sol.”

Correction: Estoy expuesto al sol.

jugado

hoo-GAH-doh/xuˈɣaðo/

adjectiveB1Informal
This term is less common for 'risky' in general contexts and might imply something that was undertaken with a degree of chance or daring, often related to games or competitions.
A deck of playing cards lightly scattered across a wooden table next to an empty glass, illustrating that the activity of playing is finished.

Examples

Fue un movimiento arriesgado en el ajedrez, pero resultó ser bueno.

It was a risky move in chess, but it turned out to be good.

El partido jugado ayer fue el mejor de la temporada.

The game played yesterday was the best of the season.

No te preocupes por él, es un hombre muy jugado y sabe lo que hace.

Don't worry about him, he's a very experienced/street-smart man and knows what he's doing.

Fue una jugada muy jugada, pudimos perderlo todo.

It was a very risky move; we could have lost everything.

Adjective Agreement

When 'jugado' acts as an adjective, it must change its ending to match the noun it describes: 'el partido jugado' (masculine singular), 'las cartas jugadas' (feminine plural).

Mixing Adjective and Participle

Mistake: “La mesa está jugado.”

Correction: If you are using it as an adjective with 'estar' or 'ser', it must agree in gender and number. Correction: 'La mesa está jugada' (feminine singular).

comprometido

/kom-proh-meh-TEE-doh//kom.pro.meˈti.ðo/

adjectiveC1Formal
Use 'comprometido' when referring to a situation that is critical, precarious, or in a dangerous state, often implying a serious medical or political condition.
A tiny silhouetted figure carefully walking across a very thin rope suspended high over a deep, dark canyon, illustrating a critical or precarious situation.

Examples

El estado de salud del paciente es muy comprometido.

The patient's health condition is very critical.

El paciente se encuentra en un estado muy comprometido.

The patient is in a very critical/serious condition.

La decisión del gobierno puso al país en una posición comprometida.

The government's decision put the country in a delicate/risky position.

Peligeroso vs. Arriesgado

Learners often confuse 'peligroso' and 'arriesgado'. Remember that 'peligroso' implies direct, inherent danger (like a poisonous snake), while 'arriesgado' refers to a situation with an uncertain outcome where one takes a chance (like a business venture).

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